How to get ahead in one of Nashville's hottest industries
The Nashville area is often cited as one of the hottest business markets in the country, particularly for entrepreneurs.
One way to find the fastest growing businesses is to look at which industries are seeing the most employment growth in our region. By that metric, one industry that has seen tremendous expansion is the hospitality industry.
The hospitality industry includes hotels, restaurants and bars, all of which have seen robust growth in recent years due to Nashville’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination. Nashville is consistently named as a top travel location for US travelers and tourists from overseas.
One outstanding example of a hospitality-industry business that is booming is A. Marshall Hospitality, owners of Puckett’s Grocery and Deacon’s New South, among other properties. The company and Chamber member has been named to the INC. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for four years in a row; see their rankings here.
“Our presence in Middle Tennessee has been very positive the last few years,” says Andy Marshall, CEO & Proprietor of A. Marshall Hospitality. “Hiring associates that deliver hospitality with a servant’s heart, as well as the growth of the Nashville and Middle Tennessee market have contributed to our success. Our connection with the Nashville Chamber has been very positive for business as well because it helps strengthen our relationships and our commitment to the Nashville area.”
Hotels represent another facet of the hospitality industry that is growing. While most other metro areas in the United States are seeing a decline in hotel construction, over 5,000 new rooms in 33 hotels were built in Nashville in 2017 – a 48% increase over the last year according to the Tennessean.
One challenge that is facing the hospitality industry, beyond filling the new rooms with visitors, is finding a workforce that can meet the demands of the industry’s growth. The Chamber has efforts aimed specifically at fostering local talent development.
“The Nashville Chamber is passionately invested in different avenues that move this city forward. If you’re not involved with the Chamber, you should begin today. We’re investing in the region by partnering with the Chamber’s Academies of Nashville program in order to help grow a local, talented workforce, and we encourage other businesses to do the same,” says Dan Piotrowski, managing director of the Omni Nashville Hotel.
If you are in the hospitality industry and are looking for ways to maximize your potential growth, joining the Chamber should be on your to-do list. We are building a better region for every business, but our members enjoy special benefits including access and visibility to companies and customers that can help support your growth. Learn more about membership here, or by filling out the form below.